Comparison of DKB and ING Banks for Business: Fees, Services, and Support

Business Tariff Plans for DKB

DKB Business Basic

Cost: Free

Key Features:

• Basic banking services.
• Free card payments.
• Three free cash withdrawals in the Eurozone per month.
• Ability to use sub-accounts for fund management.

DKB Business Standard

Cost: €9/month

Key Features:

• All Basic features.
• 0.1% cashback on all card purchases.
• Up to 10 sub-accounts for financial management.
• Transaction export for accounting and tax reporting.

DKB Business Pro

Cost: €19/month

Key Features:

• All Standard features.
• Unlimited cash withdrawals in the Eurozone.
• Fee-free international transfers.
• Priority customer support.

DKB Business Premium

Cost: €29/month

Key Features:

• All Pro features.
• Premium customer support.
• Advanced capabilities for managing large teams.
• Premium services.

Recommendations

• For small businesses: DKB Business Basic provides essential features for free, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
• For small businesses with additional needs: DKB Business Standard offers cashback and extended financial management capabilities.
• For medium businesses: DKB Business Pro provides unlimited cash withdrawals, fee-free international transfers, and priority support.
• For businesses with large teams: DKB Business Premium ensures maximum benefits and premium services, ideal for managing large teams and complex operations.

Business Tariff Plans for ING

ING Business Basic

Cost: Free

Key Features:

• Basic banking services.
• Free card payments.
• Three free cash withdrawals in the Eurozone per month.
• Ability to use sub-accounts for fund management.

ING Business Standard

Cost: €9/month

Key Features:

• All Basic features.
• 0.1% cashback on all card purchases.
• Up to 10 sub-accounts for financial management.
• Transaction export for accounting and tax reporting.

ING Business Pro

Cost: €19/month

Key Features:

• All Standard features.
• Unlimited cash withdrawals in the Eurozone.
• Fee-free international transfers.
• Priority customer support.

ING Business Premium

Cost: €29/month

Key Features:

• All Pro features.
• Premium customer support.
• Advanced capabilities for managing large teams.
• Premium services.

Recommendations

• For small businesses: ING Business Basic provides essential features for free, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
• For small businesses with additional needs: ING Business Standard offers cashback and extended financial management capabilities.
• For medium businesses: ING Business Pro provides unlimited cash withdrawals, fee-free international transfers, and priority support.
• For businesses with large teams: ING Business Premium ensures maximum benefits and premium services, ideal for managing large teams and complex operations.

Tariff Plans for Freelancers

Neither DKB nor ING offer specialized tariff plans for freelancers, unlike N26, Revolut, and Wise. These banks mainly focus on providing services for small and medium-sized businesses, without offering separate plans for sole proprietors and freelancers.

Comparison of Free Services

Cashback

• DKB Business Basic: No cashback.
• ING Business Basic: No cashback.

Cash Withdrawals

• DKB Business Basic: Three free cash withdrawals in the Eurozone.
• ING Business Basic: Three free cash withdrawals in the Eurozone.

Payments

• DKB Business Basic: Free card payments.
• ING Business Basic: Free card payments.

Sub-accounts (Spaces)

• DKB Business Basic: Yes.
• ING Business Basic: Yes.

Recommendations

DKB Business Basic provides essential features for free, including free card payments and three free cash withdrawals in the Eurozone.

ING Business Basic also offers free card payments and three free cash withdrawals in the Eurozone, making it a good choice for beginners.

Comparison of Premium Services

DKB Business Premium

Cost: €29/month

Cashback: No

Cash Withdrawals: Free worldwide

Sub-accounts (Spaces): Yes

Additional Features: Advanced team management features, premium customer support

ING Business Premium

Cost: €29/month

Cashback: No

Cash Withdrawals: Free worldwide

Sub-accounts (Spaces): Yes

Additional Features: Advanced team management features, premium customer support

Recommendations

For businesses:

DKB Business Premium offers a good balance between cost and functionality, providing advanced team management features and premium customer support.

ING Business Premium also offers a wide range of team management features and premium support, making it an excellent choice for medium and large businesses.

Simplicity and Speed of Account Opening

Online Registration

Both DKB and ING offer online registration through their web applications.

Registration Time

The registration time for both banks is a few minutes, including account setup and registration.

Form Completion

Both banks require the completion of a form with information about the business and the owner.

Required Data and Documents

Both banks require identification and business registration documents for account registration.

Identification Procedure

• DKB: Uses photo identification or video identification.
• ING: Uses automated photo identification.

Identification Time

• DKB: Identification takes a few minutes.
• ING: The process can take up to one business day.

Account Confirmation and Activation

• DKB: Instant confirmation and activation of the account after identification.
• ING: Activates accounts within one business day.

Confirmation Notification

Both banks send a confirmation notification.

Receiving the Card

Both banks offer a physical card by mail and a virtual card immediately.

Platform Availability

Both banks support iOS, Android, and web platforms.

Recommendations

If account activation speed is a priority, DKB may be the best option due to instant confirmation and activation. ING is suitable for users who prefer automated processes, despite the potential delay of up to one business day for identification and account activation.

Key Features and Business Capabilities

Account and Financial Management

• DKB: Intuitive web application, ability to create sub-accounts for fund management.
• ING: Convenient mobile and web application, support for multi-currency operations.

Cashback and Bonuses

• DKB: No cashback. Participation in loyalty programs available.
• ING: No cashback. Discounts and bonuses from partners.

International Operations

• DKB: Competitive transfer rates, support for SEPA and SWIFT, low fees on international payments.
• ING: Multi-currency accounts, favorable conditions for international transfers, integration with SWIFT and SEPA.

Security and Protection

• DKB: Two-factor authentication, deposit protection up to €100,000.
• ING: Two-factor authentication, modern security protocols, deposit protection up to €100,000.

Customer Support

• DKB: Support via chat and phone during business hours, online support center.
• ING: 24/7 support via chat and phone for premium clients, online support center.

Integrations and Automation

• DKB: Integration with accounting systems, automated payments.
• ING: Integration with accounting programs, API for integration with own systems.

Analytics and Reporting

• DKB: Built-in expense analysis tools, report creation, data export.
• ING: Advanced analytics and reporting tools, transaction categorization, budgeting.

Premium Features

• DKB: Premium customer support, participation in exclusive programs.
• ING: Custom limits and service conditions, dedicated support, advanced analytical tools.

Recommendations

• For small businesses: DKB provides convenient tools for account management and competitive conditions for international operations.
• For medium businesses: ING offers advanced analytical tools and 24/7 support, making it an excellent choice for larger companies.

Integration Capabilities with Other Services

Integration with Accounting Systems

• DKB: Supports DATEV; data export in CSV and PDF.
• ING: Integration with Xero, QuickBooks, DATEV; data export in CSV, PDF, Excel.

Integration with Financial Applications

• DKB: Supports Apple Pay, Google Pay; integration with PayPal.
• ING: Supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay; integration with Stripe, PayPal.

Integration with Business Management Platforms

• DKB: Integration with CRM systems; support for project management platforms.
• ING: Integration with CRM systems (Salesforce, HubSpot); support for project management platforms (Trello, Asana, Slack).

Integration with Analytical Tools

• DKB: Built-in analytical tools; integration with external analytics platforms.
• ING: Built-in analytical tools; integration with external analytics systems (Google Analytics, Tableau).

Process Automation

• DKB: API access; integration with IFTTT and Zapier.
• ING: API access; integration with Zapier and Integromat.

Recommendations

• For businesses needing extensive data export options and integration with various analytics and project management systems: ING is an excellent choice due to its support for multiple platforms and data export formats, as well as API availability for custom integrations.
• For businesses prioritizing integration with various financial applications and process automation: DKB may be the best choice due to its support for payment systems like Apple Pay and Google Pay, as well as integrations with popular CRM and accounting systems.
• For companies seeking flexible solutions in accounting and process automation: ING offers integration with major accounting systems like Xero and QuickBooks, and provides powerful tools for automating financial operations with API and support for automation platforms like Zapier and Integromat.

Quality of Customer Service for Businesses

Support Channels

• DKB: Chat, phone, email, online support center.
• ING: Chat, phone, email, online support center.

Support Availability

• DKB: Support is available during business hours.
• ING: Support is available 24/7 for premium users; for standard users, during business hours.

Response Time

• DKB: Quick response via chat and phone during business hours.
• ING: Quick response via chat and phone, especially for premium users.

Online Support Center

• DKB: Extensive knowledge base, FAQs, guides, and instructions available on the DKB website.
• ING: Extensive knowledge base, FAQs, guides, and instructions available on the ING website.

Personal Manager

• DKB: Personal manager available for premium clients.
• ING: Personal manager available for premium clients.

Training Materials

• DKB: Access to webinars, articles, and guides on using DKB features and services.
• ING: Access to webinars, articles, and guides on using ING features and services.

Recommendations

• For businesses needing round-the-clock support: ING is the best option due to its 24/7 support availability for premium users.
• For businesses needing a personal manager: Both DKB and ING offer a personal manager for premium clients.
• For businesses requiring quick response and quality support: Both banks provide quality service, but ING stands out with 24/7 support for premium users.

Currency Handling Capabilities for Business

Multi-Currency Accounts

• DKB: Does not support the opening of multi-currency accounts.
• ING: Does not support the opening of multi-currency accounts.

Currency Exchange

• DKB: Convenient currency exchange through online banking with interbank rates and a 0.25% fee.
• ING: Currency exchange through the mobile app and online banking with interbank rates and fees ranging from 0.1% to 0.5%.

International Payments

• DKB: Conducting international payments with minimal fees (0.1% of the transfer amount) and favorable rates, support for SEPA and SWIFT transfers.
• ING: International payments with a fixed fee ranging from 0.2% to 0.5% of the transfer amount depending on the destination country, support for SEPA and SWIFT transfers.

Support for Different Currencies

• DKB: Operations only in euros.
• ING: Operations in multiple currencies, such as EUR, USD, GBP, AUD, CAD, and others.

Business Card

• DKB: Business card supporting operations only in euros.
• ING: Business card supporting operations in multiple currencies, including EUR, USD, GBP, AUD, CAD.

Recommendations

• For businesses needing to operate in multiple currencies: ING is the best choice due to its support for multiple currencies and flexible currency exchange conditions.
• For minimal fees on international payments: DKB offers the lowest fees (0.1%) and favorable conditions for international transfers.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of DKB

• Convenient and intuitive web application.
• Minimal fees on international transfers (0.1%).
• High level of security and data protection.
• Low currency exchange fee (0.25%).
• Free account maintenance.
• Built-in analytical tools and data export capabilities.
• Support via chat and phone.

Disadvantages of DKB

• Lack of multi-currency accounts.
• Support only during business hours.
• Limited currency support (only euros).
• No cashback program.

Advantages of ING

• Ability to open multi-currency accounts.
• Favorable currency exchange conditions with fees from 0.1% to 0.5%.
• Support for multiple currencies for operations and cards.
• 24/7 support for premium users.
• Personal manager available for premium clients.
• Integration with various accounting systems and APIs for automation.
• Free account maintenance.

Disadvantages of ING

• International payment fees can reach up to 0.5%.
• Personal manager available only for premium clients.
• Limited number of supported currencies compared to competitors.
• No cashback program.

Conclusion

For small businesses: DKB may be the most suitable option due to its low international transfer fees and ease of use.

For growing and international companies: ING offers the most flexible conditions and a wide range of services, making it an excellent choice for companies expanding internationally.

Article Author: Patrick Möller